Anti-bullying bill debated by public

WINNIPEG – Manitobans had their first chance Tuesday to tell legislators what they think of the province’s controversial anti-bullying bill.

Jaryn Trickies was one of the first presenters. She’s only 15 but she knows what it’s like to be bullied.

“You just want to drop out of school and never talk to anyone again,” said Trickies.

She worries Bill 18 won’t protect her.

Her mom, Sandra, asked that amendments be made to the legislation.

“It was body image, it was language, grades, it was religion,” said Jaryn’s mother. “I just feel like we need to include all those things to protect all of our kids.”

Bill 18 would force schools to allow students to create a gay-straight alliance but some feel this infringes on their religious freedoms.

“They can still teach their faith,” said Education Minister Nancy Allan. “This legislation will not infringe on those teachings in that school.”

Peter Wohlgemut though wants the bill to be passed as is.

“It’s about accepting people for who they are,” said the Altona teacher. “How do we protect a group of kids that have really felt excluded for some time, in some cases, to the point where they have to hide who they are until they leave their community?”

More than 300 people will speak at the public hearings. The bill will likely pass in the legislature later this month.